US and Russian dual citizenship: is it allowed?

The US and Russian rules were checked against the primary sources on Nov 10, 2026; links are at the end.

Can you hold Russian and US citizenship

On the US side the State Department answers on its dual nationality page: US law does not require a citizen to choose between US citizenship and another nationality, and a US citizen may naturalize in a foreign state without any risk to their US citizenship. No permission from a court or agency is needed.

On the Russian side the answer is in Federal Law No. 138-FZ "On Citizenship of the Russian Federation", article 10:

• part 2 - acquiring a foreign citizenship does not end Russian citizenship;
• part 1 - Russia treats a person with two citizenships only as a Russian citizen, wherever they live;
• part 5 - federal laws may restrict people with dual citizenship or a residence permit, for example those who want a government job.

So both countries treat you as their own citizen, and each may apply its laws to you. The State Department warns that this can limit US consular help in the country of your other citizenship.

What the naturalization oath says

The oath on the USCIS site opens with renouncing all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign state of which you were a citizen. Many people find this alarming. But it is a promise, not a procedure for leaving a citizenship: USCIS does not ask you to hand in your Russian passport, bring a certificate of renunciation or file anything with a consulate.

Whether the old citizenship survives is up to that country's law. Russian law keeps it (article 10(2)), so after the oath you hold two citizenships. How to get US citizenship and pass the interview is on the naturalization and N-400 page; the test questions are in US citizenship test questions.

Which passport to show at the border

The State Department puts it this way: US citizens, including dual nationals, must use a US passport to enter and leave the United States. The same rule is in 22 CFR 53.1.

• The US. Only the US passport, both in and out. You no longer need a US visa in your Russian passport.
• Russia. Russia may require you to enter on the Russian passport, and the State Department acknowledges this.
• Third countries. Either passport works; this does not conflict with US law.

So plan the first trip after the oath only once the US passport is in hand: the rule does not let you leave the US on the Russian one.

The second-citizenship notice: who, where and when

This is the main practical duty, and the one people forget most. Article 11 of Law 138-FZ requires a Russian citizen to file a notice of every foreign citizenship and of every residence permit or other document of permanent residence abroad.

The green card needs a notice too. It is a document of permanent residence in the US, so you notify twice: when you get the green card and when you get citizenship.

• Deadline. 60 calendar days from the day you got the citizenship or the green card (art. 11(6)).
• If you are abroad. You may file at a Russian consulate (art. 11(2)). If you missed the 60 days because you were outside Russia, you must file within 60 days of entering Russia (art. 11(6)).
• Where in Russia. The Interior Ministry or its local office, directly or through the ministry's authorized enterprise, and in Moscow through the city's authorized organization. The law also allows an electronic form, with the procedure set by the ministry (art. 11(2)-(3)).
• For children. Parents or other legal representatives file for a child under 18 (art. 11(4)).
• By proxy. A representative with a notarized power of attorney may file (art. 11(5)).
• When it is not needed. If you already declared that citizenship when you acquired Russian citizenship (art. 11(8)).

Reporting the loss of a second citizenship or residence permit is optional (art. 11(1)). Check the form, the required details and the documents with the ministry or the consulate before filing.

Fines and criminal liability

What you face depends on whether you filed late or did not file at all.

If you live in the US and do not travel to Russia, the part 6 clock starts at your first entry. Note the date in advance: 60 days after entry go by quickly, especially on a short trip.

What people ask in the chats

Dual citizenship comes up over a hundred times a year in our chats, and more than half of those messages are questions. The top three: will the oath take my Russian passport away (no), can I fly to Moscow on a US passport (Russia may require the Russian one), and do I have to report the green card to the ministry (yes). A separate thread is the immigrant-visa pause for 75 countries and whether a second passport from a country off the list helps. Its status is on the visa pause for 75 countries page.

Key takeaways

1. US and Russian dual citizenship is lawful on both sides.
2. The oath does not require handing in a Russian passport, and Russia does not end your citizenship.
3. Into and out of the US - only on a US passport.
4. A notice to the Interior Ministry or a consulate within 60 days of the green card and again after citizenship; from abroad, no later than 60 days after entering Russia.
5. Late filing - a fine of up to 1,000 rubles; not filing - criminal article 330.2.

FAQ

Related

Official sources

• US State Department: dual nationality - no need to choose, enter and leave on a US passport
• USCIS: the naturalization oath
• 22 CFR 53.1 - a US passport to enter and leave
• Law No. 138-FZ, art. 10 - dual citizenship in Russia (in Russian)
• Law No. 138-FZ, art. 11 - the notice of a second citizenship or residence permit (in Russian)
• Code of Administrative Offences, art. 19.8.3 - fine for breaking the notice procedure (in Russian)
• Criminal Code, art. 330.2 - not filing the notice (in Russian)

Checked against the primary sources on Nov 10, 2026.

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From community discussions

• «Once the case is filed, no evidence obtained after the filing date is accepted for that case. That is, it's reviewed as of the time of filing. The RFE will come for what's already been filed, and they expect a response on what's written there.»

  Eugene · from public community chats

• «My lawyer told me that at the figure skating World Championships a pair won a medal, but EB-1 was approved for only one person, because collective awards don't count.»

  Maksim · from public community chats

• «Ask them to send all the documents BEFORE they're sent to USCIS. I had errors in the draft: instead of my receipt number there was a different number and person. They apologized and fixed it without any problem. But ask them to check everything before sending - paralegals can screw up, that's a fact.»

  Anna · from public community chats

Personal opinions of community members from public discussions, not legal advice.